Nicola Sturgeon backs calls for campaign to help vulnerable elderly people after woman's body lay undiscovered for years

Nicola Sturgeon has backed calls for a national awareness campaign to help vulnerable elderly people after reports a woman's body had lain in a house for years without neighbours realising.

As reported on Wednesday, the woman's body was found in a house in Cove near Aberdeen.

It’s understood the woman had been dead for several years and the authorities were only alerted when she failed to show up for a Covid-19 vaccination appointment.

During First Minister's Questions on Thursday, Ms Sturgeon was asked when we can expect a national loneliness campaign to be brought in.

She said: “We do need to think about how we support people to reconnect as we come out of [the pandemic].

“Loneliness, which was was already an issue before the pandemic, has undoubtedly been exacerbated. And I think our willingness of tackling a loneliness awareness campaign will be part of what we do.

“But I think we've all got a part to play in that. I think more than ever before, now is a time to be thinking perhaps of elderly people, or people who are alone in our networks - whether it's neighbours, friends, family members - and how we can reach out and help.

“Finally, I would absolutely endorse the Age Scotland helpline.

First Minsiter Nicola Sturgeon has backed calls for a national awareness campaign to help vulnerable elderly people

“Last year I announced funding to expand that helpline to enable them to deal with more people through the pandemic.

“They are doing a great job and it is a fantastic resource. People who need it should not hesitate to use it.”

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